As I grow older, my neuroses become more and more apparent to me. Apparently everyone else has known about them for quite some time.

Monday, October 24, 2011

20 Miles Last

Wow.

Just. Wow. What an amazing training cycle this has
been. Maybe I’m forgetting the tough
times. Maybe I’m completely blocking out
the tough runs… but from where I sit now, I have had a really great training
cycle.

Todays run was ~savor~.

The last 20 of the year.
Packing for Taper Island… Can’t
wait. My body needs it. I need it.

Biola-Buds!

A smile connected me to my Biolabud and we lined up to
run. A nod to Birch, a giggle with
Karasmatic, some knuckle bumps and a few nerves zap through the crowd like
electricity. 20 miles.

Through the city, up and back, picking up runners and
falling into a groove. Past
MTTographer. A smile, a wave, light feet
that can’t be stopped by the teasing banter exchanged. The plan was executed. Pick up T, slow to start, pick it up
later. 20 miles.

We crossed the river, suspended by fog and draped in dew coated spider-webs. We ran in formation marching out single file
across the bridge. Only the shoulders of
the beautiful runners ahead of me were visible, their muscles bunching as we
powered up the sharp incline. The
rhythmic huh-huh-huff as we climbed was vocal testimony to the work we were
performing. We ascended up out of the
river valley.

A slice of negativity tumbled down a hill. It was quashed under our soles. No room to carry that today. 20 miles.

Aimless and aiming, we ran.
20 miles.

A yawning chasm, the James River again, the golden landscape stretched before us. Power
up, it’s time to run. 20 miles.

Onto Main, my focus slips. I feel the uncertainty tangle
around my feet, tripping me like an uneven brick sidewalk. The voice of reason
speaks in my ear, to “pull me out of a
ditch if I should ever fall into one” reminding me. I am Strong.
1.4 miles. It’s short. Last year I threw away my uber goal on that
1.4 mile stretch of pastel lined road.
This year, those bricks don’t stand a chance. “I
learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in
the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has
imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." 20 miles.

Beautifully written! Like Jen said, I felt like I was there with you... Love that your run was one of taking it in and savoring it all. Now, deep breath, rest that body of yours and get ready to kick some serious rear come race day!

I love this post! Shoulders bunching, sometimes we focus so much on the legs moving that we forget what the rest of our body must look like. Makes me want to train for another full! (or not, ha ha ha!)

Need to reach me?

Follow NofSahm by Email

About GBA GF

I'm a mother of 3 kids, and I stayed at home until they all went to school. A few years ago I decided to go back to college so that I can have a job I actually want instead of a job that I'm "stuck with" due to lack of skills. Now I'm a nurse, working full time, and I love it.
I like to write. I find peace when I draw. I meditate during my swim. I enjoy my ride. I love my run. A freaking lot. (Like a heroin addict loves H.)
I have run a lot of races, and while I'm super proud of the marathon that I finished in Dec '11, I'm equally proud of the 5K I finished in April of '08.
I grew up in Virginia Beach, and people always act like that's a big deal. "Wow, that must have been great". No, not really. It's not like I lived on the beach. I did try surfing once, but only once. Fortunately my nose wasn't broken...
~Savor the Run~

Incase of Emergency - BREAK GLASS

GARMIN FORERUNNER 305 Owners ~ Garmin Non-responsive? "nurse g." just wants to remind you that often a soft reset is as easy as holding the MODE & RESET buttons simultaneously for about 10 seconds. Let go of those two buttons, press the power button, and the unit will turn back on.

Defining GBA**

"...And I smiled to myself as I thought of EXACTLY what I would say when he asked me how I was feeling. I mean here I am.

I’m at frickin mile 23 1/2 of a marathon. I’m crushing my PR. I’m running with my POSSE. I have stopped to (unsuccessfully) vom on the side of the course. Yup. I knew what 2 words I would say.... at mile 24 Q dropped the other group, and I was rewarded for my patience. 'How you doing?' 'Galactically BadA$$'."